The standoff (with France, Russia and Germany) appeared to heighten American isolation in seeking support for the use of force... The Turkish Parliament voted last week to refuse the deployment of American troops on its territory and the Arab League agreed to reject the use of force to remove Mr. Hussein. The United States appeared increasingly alone, as several Latin American countries, including Chile and Mexico, as well as African countries holding temporary seats in the Security Council, distanced themselves from any plan for the use of force. In Rome, Pope John Paul II, celebrating Ash Wednesday services, joined with leaders of other religions to urge the world to avoid a dramatic conflict in Iraq. NY Times

Why are we in this situation? The decision last July by influential hawks in the administration to pursue a massive military build-up in the Gulf has largely brought us to this point. It is exactly the kind of overreaction that the terrorists hoped to engender. Compromise with our allies is the only sane recourse now. Even that would require a wisdom and humility thus far absent. Ash Wednesday is about owning our humus and thereby our inheritance. MGranzen

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God's steadfast love toward those who fear God; as far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear God. For God knows our frame; God remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103